Welder&#39;s mask



Jan' 13, l942# M. N. ANDERsoN 2,270,028

WELDERS MASK Filed June 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i1 impl Jan. i3; 1942.

M. N. ANDERSON IIIIIIIIIIIIAI-.l/l.

` whatever is formed, it will be of-such a tortuous long as desired.

Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED si'lrrasv PATENT OFFICEA y WELDERS MASK Marshall N. Anderson.

calmo, n1., man, to

Sellstrom Manufacturing Company, Chicago, y 1li., a corporation of Illinois Application June 12,

iz calme.

` sition in the light opening without the use of rivets or other means for rigidly securing the 'lens holder to the body of the mask. y

Welders masks are subject to extreme variations in temperature, and.' as the masks and the lens support `secured thereto have `diife'rent coeillcients of expansion, it has been very diicuit to maintain a light proof joint therebetween. The common method of riveting the lens support to the mask. even when done with extreme care. is ineifective after the mask has been used a short time. The expansion and warpage of the material soon causes cracks and'crevices to appear between the parts, which admit light and sometimes sparks or other foreign material, with disastrous results to the user. This has become a matter of extreme importanceand such objections to prior structures have entirely been eliminatcd by the present invention in which vthe lens support is so constructed and mounted that all of the parts are free toexpand and contract, or even warp considerably, without causing any di-` rect opening therebetween. and. if'anyopening means of a minimum number of fastening members, which members will not interfere with .the expansionv and contraction of any of the elements in response to. changes in temperatures. v

A further object is the provision of a lens carrier of the character described having means for supporting a multiple lens arrangement in which a portion of the lens holder is arranged to carry a colored lens and'in which this portion may be.. moved out of alignment with the lens opening and will resiliently be held in open position as A further oblec 1939, Serhl No. 278,717

which will be cheap to manufacture and which is of simple construction. easily asesmbled. and

which'may be manufactured of Bakelite, or simv ilar suitable insulating material, or may be made of metal if desired.

Further objects will be apparent from the lspecication and thek appended claims.

Inthe drawings:

" Fig. 1 is asideelevation partially in vertical one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the lens holder embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 with the body portion of the mask shown in section. v Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the lens carrier or holder illustrated in Figs.`1` and 2 with part of the outerjlens retaining frame and part of the oute lens broken away for purposes of illustration,

20 Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the lensholder and is taken on a lineV substantially corresponding to line 4-4 oi' Fig. 3. v

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the lens holder with the outer hinged section raised out of align line corresponding substantially to either of lines 35l-9ofFig.8.

Fig. is a perspective view of the inner le holding clip. y Fig. 11 is a yfrontV elevation of another embodiment in'which the hinged section is omitted. 40 Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view takenon a -line substantially corresponding to line I2-i2 of Fis. 11. a Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view through the embodiment shown-in-Fig. 11 and is taken o n a line substantially corresponding to line I-IS l of Fig. l1. l

view of the lens holding spring Fig. 14 is a top member.

Fig. 15 isa side view ofthe lens holder member shown in Fig. 14.1

Fig. 16 is a front view of the sight opening in the body ofthe mask to receive the lens holder.

Referring to the drawings in'detail; the embodiment illustrated comprises a mask of the t is the provision of a lens holder 1usualtype having a body portion I which prefsection of the usual welde'rs mask incorporating erably made of light. opaque, heat resisting material such as fiber, which may be pressed or molded or otherwise formed into suitable shape in accordance with requirements to provide a protection for the face and head. n adjust` The present invention is particularly concerned I with the construction of the sight opening and the lens holder supported therein. The lens holder embodiment illustrated in Figs. l to 10, inelusive, comprises a generally rectangular outer frame or base member 5 having a substantially rectangular opening therethrough. The side walls of this frame are comparatively thin and the inner edges are arculate or otherwise formed, as shown at 6, to conform generally to the outer contour of the body portion I of the mask. The frame 5 is provided with an outwardly extending circumjacent flange 'I which corresponds to the inner curvature thereof and is adapted to engage the outer surface of the mask around the sight opening. The general shape of the sight opening in the body portion of the mask is illustrated in Fig. 16 and comprises a rectangular opening I having a laterally extending slot 9 at each end thereof to accommodate holder securing screws in a manner which will later be described.

The walls of .the base member are preferably slightly angular, as shown at III (Fig. 7) and at II (Fig. 6). `'I'his provides a slightly tapered opening in the frame which is also provided at its outer edge with an inturned annular flange or stop member I2. In order to secure the base member 5 to the mask, a thin walled frame I2 is provided having an inner marginal flange I4 which is arcuate or otherwise shaped in accordance with the contour of the flange The outer end of this inner frame is provided with an in` turned flange I5 having an opening corresponding to the sight opening in the base 5 and in alignment therewith. In securing the lens holder to the mask, the frame member I4 is inserted through the rectangular sight opening I in the mask and telescoped into themember 5 until it strikes the stop member I2, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9. This limits the telescoping movement and prevents clamping the mask too snugly between the flanges I and I4. cured snugly together by means of two oppositely disposed screws I6 extending through the flanges and through the slots 9 in the-body of the mask. thereby retaining the holder in the sight opening while at the same time enabling free expansion of all of the parts and any opening therebetween will be of such a tortuous nature that no light or sparks may enter therebetween.

A loosely fitting lens I1 is positioned withinthe inner frame I3` and rests against the inturned flange I5. This lens may be of any suitable type but is preferably of clear glass and is retained in position by means of spring clips I8, one of which is `secured adjacent each end of the lens holder oy means of the corresponding screw I6. These lens clips are preferably of resilient sheet material and each is provided with a downwardly extending portion I9 which engages the end of the lens I1 and which tends to spring outwardly, thereby centering the lens and preventing lateral movement thereof and at the same time permit- The frames are then se,

ting expansion and contraction of the lens and frame without danger of breakage. Each 0f the clips I9 is sheared from the bottom upwardly to provide a resilient tongue 20, the end of which engages the back face of the lens, as shown particularly in Fig. 7. It will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 7 that the lens I1 may be inserted after the holder is mounted and the spring clips I2 secured in position. It is only necessary to insert the lens against the lateral pressure of the spring clips until the tongues 2li snap over the top of the lens as shown.

An important feature of the herein disclosed method of securing the lens holder to the mask is that the mask is positioned between two outwardly extending flanges on frames which are limited in their telescoping movement, as shown in Rigs. 6 and 7, whereby the mask is not rigidly clamped and expansion and contraction thereof not restricted and yet in which such action will not cause openings to occury between themask and the lens holder through which light or sparks may enter to the interior of the mask. As prei viously stated, it has been common practice to rivet a lens holder to the mask. However, variations in temperature or other conditions cause the mask to warp and wrinkle, particularly between the rivets, and thereby provide openings through which light may enter. It is, of course, understood that any light entering a mask from a welding operation may have serious consequences.

A hinged assembly 2i, which is in itself a multiple lens holder. comprises a rectangular framelike member 22 which is of substantially the same size as the base member 5 and. when closed, forms a continuation of the walls thereof. This framel member 22 is provided with an inwardly extending circumiacent flange 23 yand is arranged in relation to the base member `5 to provide an overlapping Joint 22a therewith of a type to prevent light entering therethrough. The frame 22 is provided with two upwardly extending curved hinge arms 24 which are pivoted to corresponding upwardly extending `lug-like portions 2l which are slotted at 2l to receive the arms 24. these arms beingpivoted at 21, whereby the lens assembly 2l may be raised out of alignment with thesight' opening, as shown in Fig. 5. The hinge arms 24 ,are preferably shaped substantially as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and are tapered to provide a substantially pointed end having a small groove 2l therein adapted to be engaged by a spring 2l havingone end turned rearwardly and stantial snap action of the lens assembly is provided when it is moved toward either its open `or closed position, in either of which positions it will be retained by thespring until again moved by the user. A

A rectangular lens holding frame or cover 12 having a` corresponding sight opening therethrough is provided and is secured to the frame 22 by means of inwardly extending lugs 22 which overlap the frame 22, and screws I4 which are threaded into the` frame. The cover frame 22 is also provided withy downwardly extending lugs 3l. as shown in Figs. 4 to 9. These lugs are preferably positioned adjacent the ends of the lens assembly. 4whereby they are conveniently positioned to enable the operator to raise the hinged assembly by using either of these lugs as a handle.

Av colored lens or filter 36 and, a cover lens 31, which latter may be of clear g'lass, are positioned in spaced relation in the lens assembly- 2 I, as shown, and these lenses are held in spaced relation against the'respective anges of the lens holder by means of a spring Wire frame or separator 38. One end wall 39 of the frame 22 is slightly shorter than the other walls to provide an elongated slot-like opening 40 for themsertion of the lens and resilient holder or separator 33. A gasket 4I of felt or ber or other suitable material may be provided between the lens 34 and the flange 23.

The spring separator or lens retainer 38 is preferably in the general `form of a rectangular loop. as shown in Fig. 14, with the ends of the wire laterally and upwardly extended and secured together'to provide ashort handle 42. The

`spring member 38 is arcuately formed, yas shown in Fig. l5, in order to resiliently retain the lenses in their vnormal separated position against the flanges, and the side bars are preferably formed somewhat as shown in Fig. 14 and the member itself Vis preferably slightly narrower than the width of the holder frame 22 so that there is very little contact of the wire frame `with the lens holder frame at anytime. This is desirable in view of the intense heat which is sometimes 62, through which the lenses 60 and 6I and one cfg-they previously described spring separators or retainers 38 `may be inserted in the assembled relation shown in Fig. 13, whereby both of the lenses may be retained against the flange 43 with the retainer exerting resilient pressure between the lenses and the`outer flange 44. It will be applied to the lens holder andwhich is some- -times suicient tofuse the lens retainer td the lens holder frame if sumcient contact therewith is maintained. With the present construction, the lens retainer has very little contact with the metal parts of the lens holder. The lens retainer 38 may be of any suitable material and of any appropriate cross sectional contour.

If desired, both lenses 36 and 31 may be placed adjacent one of the inturned flanges with the retainer 38 vbetween the lenses and the opposite flange as shown in Fig. 13.

Figs. 11,l 12, and 13 illustrate a slightly dilIerent embodiment of the invention, in which the hinged lens holder assembly is omitted and a plurality 0f lenses are removably supported in the fixed lens holder. This embodiment comprises an outer frame 43 which is very similar in construction to the frame 5 previously described and is provided at its outer end with an inturned flange 44 which provides a stop for the inner frame. This frame 43 is provided at its opposite side with an outwardly extending flange 45 which may be arcuate in contour or any required shape to generally conform to the contour of the body of the mask around the sight opening.

An inner frame 46 is also provided which telescopes the frame 43 and is limited in position relative to the outer frame 43 by the stop 44.

This inner frame is provided with a complemental laterally extending flange 41 for co-operation with the flange 45 to retain the holder in the sight opening. 'I'he inner and outer frame members are secured together by screws 4l extending 'through the slots 8 in the mask in the same manner as previously described. Thev inner member 46 is also provided with an inturned flange 49 which, when the device is assembled, is in spaced relation to the flange 44 in order to receive an inner lens and an outer lens 6| in closely adjacent relation as in Fig. 13 or in spaced relation vbetween the anges as in Fig. 7. One of the end walls of the outer member or frame' 43 is provided with an elongated slot obvious that the'lenses 58 and 6 I are removably and resiliently held in contactusl relation, as shown, by means of the spring separator 38, or a thin gasket may be positioned between the lenses. Also a felt gasket 53 may be providedV between the inner lens 53 and its associated ilange if desired. It will be apparent also that, in case either of the lenses 60 or 3i are broken or removed, the other lens will be held in place by the lretainer 38. All of the llenses maybe interchangeable to provide any desired arrangement of filters and cover lenses.

Modifications may be'made without departing from the spiritof the invention. and it is therefore desired that the invention be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims. l

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: f

1. A lens holder comprising a main frame having a relatively wide surface adapted to substantially conform to the outer marginof a sightopening in a welders mask, an innerv frame adapted to extend outwardly through said sight opening and snugly telescope into said main frame and having a flange complementa] to said surface to retain said mask therebewteen, means to secure said frames together in said sight opening, an inturned flange insaid inner frame, an

inturned ilangeon said main frame, a pair of lenses supported by and between said inturned flanges, and a resiilent retainer between said lensesfor retaining them against their respectibe flanges.

2. A lens holder comprising a main frame having a relatively wide. surface adapted to substantially conform to the outer margin off-a lsight flanges, and a resilient retainer between said.

lenses for retaining them against their respective flanges, and positionable between both lenses and an opposed flange.

3. A lens holder comprising a main frame hava relatively wide surface adapted to substantially conform to the outer margin of a sight opening irr a welders mask, an innerr frame *fadapted Vto extend outwardly through said sight.

opening and snugly telescope into said "main frame and having a flange complemental t0 said surface to retain said mask therebetween, means to secure said frames together in said sight opening, an inturned flange in said inner frame, an inturned flange on said main frame, a pair of lenses supported 'by and between said inturned flanges, and a resilient retainer between said lenses for retaining them 'against their respective anges, said holder having a slot between said inturned flanges for the insertion and removal of said lenses and saidk separator.

to secure said frames together in said sight opening, an inturned flange in said inner frame, an inturned flange on said main frame, a pair oi' lenses supported by and between ,said inturned flanges, and a resilient separator between said lenses for retaining them against their respective flanges, said separator comprising a resilient loop-like member adapted to `engage the margins only of said lenses. a

5. A lens holder comprising a main frame having a relatively wide surface adapted to substantially conform to the outer margin of a sight opening in a welders mask. an inner frame adapted to extend outwardly through said sight opening and snugly telescope into' said main frame and having a flange oomplemental to said surface to retain said mask therebetween, means to secure said frames together in said sight openingl an inturned ange in said inner frame, an inturned flange on said main frame, a pair ot lenses betweensaid inturned flanges, and a resilient retainer positionable between said'lenses for retaining them against their respective flanges, or positionable between both lenses and an opposed flange, said holder having a slot between said inturned flanges for the insertion and removal of said lenses and said retainer, said retainer comprising a loop-like member adapted to 4engage the margins only of said lenses and having a handle extending through said slot.

6. A lens holder for insertion in the sight opening in a welder's mask comprising an inner frame adapted to be inserted in said sight opening and having a laterally extending circumjacent flange conforming generally to the inner contour of said mask, an outer frame adapted to telescope over said inner frame and having a oomplemental flange, means for securing said frames together, an inturned annular flange in said inner frame, a lens positioned gint the inner side of said flange, and resilient lens retaining clips mounted on said holder and engaging the marginal edges of said lens and inner face thereof and arranged to resiliently retain said lens against lateral movement to enable easy insertion -and removal of said lens `by lateral pressure on said clips.

7. A lens holder for insertion ir. the sight opening in a welders mask comprising an inner' frame adapted to be inserted in said 'sight opening and having a laterally extending circumjacent flange conforminggenerally to the inner contour oi said mask, an outer frame adapted to telescope over said inner frame and having a complemental flange. means for securing said frames together, said means comprising oppositeiy disposed screws, and spring clips secured by said screws with their free ends terminating adjacent said inturned flanges to engage the edges of said lens, said `clips having resilient lens retaining tongues adapted to engage the inner iace of said lens land operable torelease said lens o'r enable insertion thereof by lateral pressure on at least one of said tongues.

8. In a lens holder of the character described having a pocket Vadapted to receive spaced lens holders therein, said holder having an open slot said pocket and the side spans between said por- -suri'ace to retain said mask therebetween, means tions bent inwardly out of engagement with said side walls, and a handle on said loop extending through said slot and freely accessible from outside said holder whereby said separator may be inserted and removed through said slot.

9. A lens holder for mounting in the sight opening of a welders mask, comprising an inner frame adapted to be inserted in said sight opening and having a laterally extending circum jacent flange at its inner edge conforming generally to the inner contour of said mask and having an inturned flange` at its outer edge, an outer frame adapted to telescope over said inner 'frame and having a` complemental inner end flange and a oomplemental inturned outer edge flange, said inturned flanges being related for positive engagement to limit the spacing of said laterally extended flanges to prevent rigid clamping of said mask when said frames are secured together. means to secure said frames together independent of said mask, and means to support a lens in said inner frame against its inturned' flange.

10. A lens holder for thesight opening of a welders mask comprising an outer frame having its wall Z-shaped in cross section to form an outwardly extending flange at its inner end and an inwardly extending flange at its outer end. the outer corner of said frame having a rabbet groove therein to receive a cover frame, an inner frame withsimilar Z-shaped walls forming similar flanges and adapted to telescope into said outer frame through said sight opening with the inwardly extending flanges engaged to limit the spacing of said outwardly extending nanges to prevent rigid clamping of said mask, means for securing said frames together, and resilient means supported by said securing means to removably retain a lens in said inner frame against its inturned flange.

i1. A lens holder for the sight opening oi a welders mask comprising an outer frame having its wall z-shaped in cross section to form an outwardly extending flange at its inner end and an inwardly extending flange at its outer end. the outer corner of said frame having a rabbet groove therein to receive a cover frame, an inner framewith similar Z-shaped walls forming similar anges and adapted to telescope into said outer frame through said sight opening with the inwardly extending flanges engaged to limit the spacing of said outwardly extending flanges to prevent rigid clamping of said mask, means for securing said frames together. and resilient means supported by said securing means to removably retain a lens in said inner frame against its inturned flange, said outer frame having a hinged cover frame thereon with its side walls resting in said rabbet groove and having an inner flange closely overlapping the inturned flange of said `outer frame to provide a closed tortuous joint therebetween and one or more lenses mounted in said hinged frame.

l2. A lens holder comprising a main frame having a relatively wide surface adapted to substantially conform to the outer margin oi a sight opening in a welders mask, an inner vframe adapted to extend outwardly through said sight opening and snugly telescope said main frame and having a flange complementa! to said surface to engage the inner margin of said sight opening, means for rigidly clamping said frames together with said anges in xed spaced relation so that the marginal edges of said sight opening are in non-clamped relation therebetween, an inturned flange adjacent the outer end of said main frame and positioned for engagement by'said inner frame to maintain said flanges in predeterminedv spaced relation greater than the thickness of said mask, a lens mounted in said inner frame, and a lens mounted on said main frame 'in spaced relation to said first lens, e

resilient means for removably securing said rst lens and additional resilientrmeans for remov.

ably securing said second lens.

MARSHALL N. ANDERSON.v 

